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Original poster

Fear of the epidural

6 replies

Njm2020 · 28/04/2021 10:41

Hi ladies
Need some advice.
Last year in February I had a c-section. The surgeon attempted the epidural 14 times and no success by the 15th time she managed to completely numb me. As you can imagine I was absolutely terrified. It was pretty painful, she also hit a nerve in my back which made my leg hit out.
I’m now pregnant again and I really don’t want the epidural, if I asked would I be able to be put to sleep? Has anyone been put to sleep for c-section?

OP posts:
GinWithLime · 28/04/2021 10:43

14 times! No wonder you're uncomfortable with the idea of it again. That is obscene.

You can request it, make it known from now and explain your reasonings.

ApplePie86 · 28/04/2021 10:46

That sounds horrific.

I'm sure I was watching a YouTuber or something that said she couldn't have an epidural.

Is it worth asking for a scan of spine to see if there was a reason they couldn't get it in (or in the right place)?

Dalooah · 28/04/2021 10:48

When they took me in for the csection (emergency) the spinal ' didn't take' or was taking too long (not entirely sure) but I remember saying ouch everytime the OB pinched my stomach to check. LOL and then they ended up putting me under completely so I believe it is entirely possible.

Deftly · 28/04/2021 10:54

I also had the nerve thing which made my leg jolt and really scared me, I thought I was going to be paralysed and actually shouted at the anaesthetist to stop (although I was a bit high on pethidine at that point). Mine was during an induction and the epidural didn't work down one side, I could feel it and move my leg it all the way through labour though I don't think the midwives really took me seriously when I said I could still feel everything.

If I really had to have a c-section I'd probably also be asking to be put to sleep as I'd be worried the epidural wouldn't work again and I'd feel it.

Chelyanne · 28/04/2021 11:02

I think it depends on the anesthetist that you get on the day, some are absolutely fab and others not so much. You can opt for a general but of course will feel groggy when you come around and not know what is happening with baby so I think that should be a last resort really.

I had a spinal for my elcs, they got it in with no trouble at all despite me being huge with twins and not able to bend over too far. I also had an epidural with our 1st (VB) which was easily done too. Our 2nd they tried to get one in but the guy kept complaining that I wasn't bending far enough forward for him (he was a whopper with excess fluid too), got it in the wrong place so it did bugger all and was removed. I swapped to G&A instead as was a VB too.

Original poster
Njm2020 · 28/04/2021 13:20

My older two girls they got the epidural perfectly fine, no problems at all but with my youngest 14 attempts, they were going to call someone else to come up and do it because she literally couldn’t do. The staff in the theatre generally looked really concern that she hadn’t got it into place. My partner said on the 14th time that she only has one chance to get it in which then she did. She was really rude, she took my socks of(the ones you were to stop blood clots) and then forgot to put a bigger size on. They started cutting and then realise I didn’t have the socks on. So then they put on these inflatable ones. The whole c-section was just awful. Thank you for everyone’s advice xxx

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